Apparatus and method for controlling a touchscreen in a wireless terminal

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for controlling a touchscreen in a wireless terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a display unit which is activated when the wireless terminal is in a first operation state, a touchscreen unit which is activated and displays an icon for performing a corresponding function at a current mode when the wireless terminal is in the first operation state, and a control unit which activates the display unit and controls the icon for performing a corresponding function at a current mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in the first operation state. The method includes activating a display unit and displaying an icon for performing a corresponding function at a current mode on a touchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in a first operation state, and deactivating the display unit and converting a function of the touchscreen unit into a function of the display unit or activating the display unit when the wireless terminal is in a second operation state contrary to the first operation state.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office onApr. 10, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-35153, and of a Korean patentapplication on Oct. 18, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-105286, theentire disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controllinga touchscreen in a wireless terminal. More particularly the presentinvention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a functionof a touchscreen according to an operation state of a wireless terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, the term “wireless terminal” refers to an apparatus thatprovides a function of communication or data exchange during movement ofa user. The term includes a cellular phone, a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a Personal Communication Services (PCS) Phone, an InternationalMobile Telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) terminal, a Global System forMobile Communication (GSM) terminal, and the like.

Such wireless terminals have become popular to many people regardless ofage or gender, and have been regarded as a necessity to be carried atall times.

Meanwhile, with advances in technology, wireless terminals that providea high rate of data transmission as well as voice communication are nowavailable. Furthermore, wireless terminals can now display a motionpicture signal by adding a camera or a TV receiver to the wirelessterminal. That is, the wireless terminals including a camera canphotograph an image and display the photographed image as a motionpicture or a still image. The wireless terminals including a TV receivercan also display a received image signal.

Recently, wireless terminals have been provided with a key input unit aswell as a touchscreen unit. The touchscreen unit allows a user toperform a corresponding function through a simple touch on thetouchscreen unit.

However, the touchscreen included in a conventional wireless terminalonly allows execution of corresponding functions by touching. That is,the conventional touchscreen cannot perform other functions. Also, witha conventional touchscreen, it is not possible to differently set anddisplay an icon displayed for indicating a corresponding functionaccording to a current mode. Therefore, users of a wireless terminalequipped with a conventional touchscreen suffer an inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide an apparatus and method for controlling a touchscreen functionof a wireless terminal according to an operation state of the terminal.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus forcontrolling a touchscreen in a wireless terminal is provided. Theapparatus includes a display unit which is activated when the wirelessterminal is in a first operation state, a touchscreen unit which isactivated and displays an icon for performing a corresponding functionat a current mode when the wireless terminal is in the first operationstate, and a control unit which activates the display unit and controlsthe icon for performing a corresponding function at a current mode to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in thefirst operation state.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling a touchscreen in a slide-type wireless terminal is provided.The method includes activating a display unit and displaying an icon forperforming a corresponding function at a current mode on a touchscreenunit when the wireless terminal is in a first operation state, anddeactivating the display unit and converting a function of thetouchscreen unit into a function of the display unit or activating thedisplay unit when the wireless terminal is in a second operation statecontrary to the first operation state.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling a touchscreen in a slide-type wireless terminal is provided.The method includes deactivating the display unit and converting afunction of a touchscreen unit into a function of the display unit whenthe wireless terminal is in a slide-down state, and activating thedisplay unit and displaying an icon for performing a correspondingfunction at a current mode when the wireless terminal in a slide-upstate.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling a touchscreen in a folder-type wireless terminal isprovided. The method includes activating an external display unit whenthe wireless terminal is in a folder-close state, and activating aninternal display unit and displaying an icon for performing acorresponding function at a current mode on the touchscreen unit whenthe wireless terminal is in a folder-open state.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling a touchscreen in a bar-type wireless terminal is provided.The method includes determining whether a predetermined key is input tothe wireless terminal, and a control unit controlling a display unit tobe activated and an icon for performing a corresponding function at acurrent mode to be displayed on a touchscreen unit when thepredetermined key is input.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a slide-type wirelessterminal according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling atouchscreen in a slide-type wireless terminal according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are views for describing the process shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a configuration of a folder-type wirelessterminal according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling atouchscreen in a folder-type wireless terminal according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are views for describing the process shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a configuration of a bar-type wirelessterminal according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling atouchscreen in a bar-type wireless terminal according to the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for describing the process shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10A to 10G are views illustrating icons displayed according to acurrent mode on the touchscreen unit of the wireless terminal based onthe first to third exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 11A to 11C are views illustrating icons indicating the type ofoccurred event in the wireless terminal according to the first to thirdexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructionsare omitted for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a configuration of a slide-type wirelessterminal according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aslide-up state of the wireless terminal represents a first operationstate out of operation states of the wireless terminal, and a slide-downstate represents a second operation state contrary to the firstoperation state out of operation states of the wireless terminal.

Referring to FIG. 1, an RF unit 123 performs a wireless communicationfunction of the wireless terminal. The RF unit 123 includes an RFtransmitter for up-converting and amplifying a frequency of a signal tobe transmitted, and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying a receivedsignal and down-converting a frequency of the low-noise amplifiedsignal. A modem 120 includes a transmitter for encoding and modulating asignal to be transmitted, and a receiver for decoding and demodulatingthe received signal.

An audio processor 125 is provided to configure a codec. The codecincludes a data codec for processing a packet data and the like, and anaudio codec for processing an audio signal such as voice and the like.The audio processor 125 converts a digital audio signal received fromthe modem 120 into an analog signal through the audio codec andreproduces the analog signal to be played through a speaker. The audioprocessor 125 also converts the analog audio signal generated andtransmitted from a microphone into a digital audio signal through theaudio codec, and then transmits the digital audio signal to the modem120. The codec can be separately equipped or included in a control unit110.

A memory 130 may include a program memory and a data memory. The programmemory can store both programs for controlling a general operation ofthe wireless terminal and programs for controlling a touchscreenfunction based on a slide state of the wireless terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The data memory alsotemporarily stores data generated during performance of the programs.

The control unit 110 performs a function of controlling generaloperations of the wireless terminal. Also, the control unit 110 mayinclude the modem 120 and the codec.

When the wireless terminal according to the first exemplary embodimentof the present invention is in a slide-down state in a stand-by mode,the control unit 110 deactivates the display function of a display unit160 and a touchscreen function of touchscreen unit 170, and thenconverts the function of the touchscreen unit 170 into the function ofthe display unit.

If an event occurs when the wireless terminal is in a slide-down stateaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the control unit 110 controls an icon corresponding to the type of theoccurred event to be displayed on the touchscreen 170 at a full screensize. The event includes generation of an alarm, generation of a wake-upcall, a message reception, a wireless terminal charge, and the like.

When the wireless terminal is in a slide-up state according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention and in a stand-by mode,the control unit 110 activates the display function of the display unit160 and the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 170. Thecontrol unit 110 then controls an icon for performing a correspondingfunction at the stand-by mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit170. In this case, the icon, which is displayed on the touchscreen 170,for performing the corresponding function at the stand-by mode, may beset by default or set by a user.

When the wireless terminal is in the slide-up state at a specific modefor execution of a corresponding function according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 110 alsoactivates the display function of the display unit 160 and thetouchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 170. The control unit 110also controls an icon for performing a corresponding function at thespecific mode to be displayed. In this case, the icon, which isdisplayed on the touchscreen 170, for performing the correspondingfunction at the specific mode, may be set by default or set by a user.

When an event occurs under a condition that the wireless terminal is ina slide-up state according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the control unit 110 controls an icon, correspondingto the type of the occurred event to be displayed on at least one of thedisplay unit 160 and the touchscreen 170 at a full screen size.

The display unit 160 is provided at an up-down sliding upper body of thewireless terminal and displays user data output from the control unit110. According to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the display unit 160 is deactivated when the wirelessterminal is in a slide-down state, and is activated when the wirelessterminal is in a slide-up state so that it displays a current mode whenthe corresponding function is performed.

The touchscreen unit 170 is provided at an up-down sliding upper body ofthe wireless terminal. According to the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, when the wireless terminal is in a slide-downstate, the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 170 isdeactivated, and then the touchscreen unit 170 performs a displayfunction. When the wireless terminal is in a slide-up state, thetouchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 170 is activated, and thenthe touchscreen unit 170 displays an icon for performing a correspondingfunction at a current mode.

A slide sensor 180 detects a slide-up state and a slide-down state ofthe wireless terminal, and transmits corresponding signals of thedetected state to the control unit 110.

A key input unit 127 includes keys for inputting number and characterinformation, function keys for setting various functions and the like.

An operation of controlling a function of the touchscreen according to aslide state of the slide-type wireless terminal will be described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 2, and FIG. 3A to 3C.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a process of controlling a touchscreenaccording to a slide state of a slide-type wireless terminal accordingto a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3Ato 3C are views for describing the process shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 10A to10G are views illustrating icons displayed according to a current modeon the touchscreen unit of the wireless terminal based on the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 11A to 11C areviews illustrating icons indicating a type of occurred event in thewireless terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Hereinafter, the first exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the wireless terminal is in a slide-down statein step 201, i.e., a stand-by mode of the wireless terminal, the slidesensor 180 detects a slide state of the wireless terminal, and thenoutputs a corresponding signal, which informs a user of the slide-downstate of the wireless terminal, to the control unit 110.

When the corresponding signal indicating the slide-down state of thewireless terminal is received from the slide sensor 180, the controlunit 110 detects the reception of the corresponding signal in step 202.Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 110 proceeds to step 203where it deactivates the display function of the display unit 160,deactivates the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 170, andconverts the function of the touchscreen unit 170 into the function ofthe display unit.

When the function of the touchscreen unit 170 is converted into thefunction of the display unit in step 203, the control unit 110 controlsthe touchscreen unit 170 to perform a conventional function of asub-display unit in step 204.

In step 204, the control unit 110 controls a basic icon or a settingicon such as a wake-up call, an alarm and the like, which are displayedat a stand-by mode of the wireless terminal, to be displayed on thetouchscreen unit 170 performing the function of the display unit. When acall is generated or data is received, the control unit 110 controls thecall or the received data to be displayed through the touchscreen unit170 performing the function of the display unit.

When an event, for example, a message reception, generation of an alarmor a wireless terminal charge, occurs in step 204, the control unit 110detects the event in step 205. The control unit proceeds to step 206 todisplay an icon indicating the type of the occurred event on thetouchscreen unit 170 at a full screen size. The icon displayed in step206 can be displayed for a period of time, until a user manipulates theicon, or until the event is completed.

In FIGS. 11A to 11C above, an icon indicating message reception at afull screen size in step 206 is shown in FIG. 11A. An icon indicatinggeneration of an alarm at a full screen size in step 206 is shown inFIG. 11B. An icon indicating a wireless terminal charge at a full screensize in step 206 is shown in FIG. 11C.

Referring again to step 202 of FIG. 2, when the wireless terminal is ina slide-up state, the slide sensor 180 detects a slide-up state of thewireless terminal and then outputs a corresponding signal informing theslide-up state of the wireless terminal to the control unit 110.

When the corresponding signal informing the slide-up state of thewireless terminal is received from the slide sensor 180, the controlunit 110 detects the reception of the corresponding signal in step 207.The control unit 110 proceeds to step 208 to activate the displayfunction of the display unit 160, to activate the touchscreen functionof the touchscreen unit 170 and to control an icon for performing acorresponding function at the stand-by mode to be displayed on thetouchscreen unit 170 as shown in FIG. 3B.

In step 208, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 110 controls a stand-by mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 170. When the icon is determined tohave not been set by a user, the control unit 110 controls a stand-bymode icon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen unit170.

In step 208, the control unit 110 controls the display unit 160 todisplay either the function performed in correspondence to a touch onthe corresponding icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 170 or thefunction performed in correspondence to the key input from the key inputunit 127.

In step 209, the control unit 110 determines if a specific mode isselected through the icon of the touchscreen unit 170 or the key fromthe key input unit 127. Then, in step 210, the control unit 110 convertsthe mode of the wireless terminal into a specific mode, and controls anicon for performing a corresponding function in the specific mode to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 170.

In step 210, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 110 controls a specific mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen 170. When the icon is determined to havenot been set by a user, the control unit 110 controls a specific modeicon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen 170.

FIG. 3C illustrates a specific mode such as a character input mode. Inthis case, the touchscreen unit 170 displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at the character input mode. The icon displayedon the touchscreen unit 170 at the character input mode may be changedinto an icon set by a user and displayed.

Otherwise, when a mode of the wireless terminal is converted into aspecific mode, such as an MP3 mode, the touchscreen unit 170 can displayicons, such as a fast forward icon, a rewind icon, a pause icon and astop icon and the like. The icons may be displayed by a basic setting orby a user setting for performing corresponding functions at the MP3mode.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G above, when the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to a photographing mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 170 in step 210 is shown in FIG. 10A. When the mode ofthe wireless terminal corresponds to a moving picture photographingmode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 170 in step 210 is shownin FIG. 10B. When the mode of the wireless terminal corresponds to anMP3 playing mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 170 in step210 is shown in FIG. 10C. When the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to a calculator mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreenunit 170 in step 210 is shown in FIG. 10D.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G above, when the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to a file view mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreenunit 170 in step 210 is shown in FIG. 10E. When the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to an image editing mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 170 according to the editing function selected in step210 is shown in FIG. 10F. When the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to an FM radio mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreenunit 170 in step 210 is shown in FIG. 10G.

When an event, such as a message reception, generation of an alarm or awireless terminal charge, occurs in step 210, the control unit 110detects the event and controls an icon indicating the type of theoccurred event to be displayed on at least one of the display unit 160and the touchscreen 170 at a full screen size as described above withreference to FIGS. 11A to 11C. The icon displayed on at least one of thedisplay unit 160 and the touchscreen 170 can be displayed for a periodof time, until a user manipulates the icon, or until the event iscompleted.

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration of a folder-type wireless terminalaccording to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, afolder-open state of the wireless terminal represents a first operationstate out of operation states of the wireless terminal, and afolder-close state of the wireless terminal represents a secondoperation state contrary to the first operation state out of operationstates of the wireless terminal.

Referring to FIG. 4, an RF unit 423, a modem 420 and an audio processor425 all perform substantially the same respective operations as those ofthe RF unit 123, the modem 120 and the audio processor 125 in FIG. 1.

A memory 430 may include a program memory and a data memory. The programmemory can store programs for controlling general operations of thewireless terminal and programs for controlling the function of thetouchscreen according to an opened and closed state of the wirelessterminal and the current mode of the wireless terminal based on thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The data memoryperforms a function of temporarily storing data generated duringperformance of the programs.

A control unit 410 performs a function of controlling general operationsof the wireless terminal, and may include the modem 420 and a codec.

When the wireless terminal is in a folder-close state according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit410 controls the display function of an external display unit 461 to beactivated.

When an event occurs under the condition that the wireless terminal isin a folder-close state according to the second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the control unit 410 controls an icon,corresponding to the type of the occurred event to be displayed on theexternal display unit 461 at a full screen size. The event may includethe generation of an alarm, generation of a wake-up call, a messagereception, a wireless terminal charge and the like.

When the wireless terminal is in a folder-open state at a stand-by modeaccording to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the control unit 410 activates the display function of an internaldisplay unit 462 and the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit470. The control unit 410 also controls an icon for performing acorresponding function at a current mode to be displayed on thetouchscreen unit 470. In this case, the icon, which is displayed on thetouchscreen 470, for performing the corresponding function at thestand-by mode, may be set by default or set by a user.

When the wireless terminal is in the folder-open state at a specificmode for execution of a corresponding function according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 410 alsoactivates the display function of the internal display unit 462 and thetouchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 470. The controller 410also controls an icon for performing a corresponding function at thespecific mode to be displayed. In this case, the icon, which isdisplayed on the touchscreen unit 470, for performing the correspondingfunction at the specific mode may be set by default or set by a user.

When an event occurs under the condition that he wireless terminal is inthe folder-open state according to the second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the control unit 410 controls an icon indicatingthe type of the occurred event to be displayed on at least one of theinternal display unit 462 and the touchscreen unit 470 at a full screensize.

A display unit 460 includes an external display unit 461 provided at theoutside of the folding body of a wireless terminal. The folding body isprovided for performing opening/closing operations in correspondence tothe main body of the wireless terminal. The display unit 460 alsoincludes an internal display unit 462 provided at the inside of thefolding body of the wireless terminal. The display unit 460 displaysuser data output from the control unit 410. When the wireless terminalis in the folder-close state according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the external display unit 461 isactivated. When the wireless terminal is in the folder-open state, theinternal display unit 462 is activated such that the current mode isdisplayed. Additionally, the external display unit 461 may beimplemented in the manner of a touchscreen.

The touchscreen unit 470 is disposed on the main body of the wirelessterminal. When the wireless terminal is in the folder-open stateaccording to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 470 is activated suchthat the touchscreen unit 470 displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at a current mode.

A folder sensor 480 detects a state of the folder of the wirelessterminal and transmits a folder state signal to the control unit 410.

A key input unit 427 includes keys for inputting numbers and charactersinformation and keys for setting various functions.

Operations for controlling functions of the touchscreen in such afolder-type wireless terminal will be described with reference to FIG.5, 6, 10A to 10G and 11A to 11C in greater detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a process of controlling a touchscreenin a folder-type wireless terminal according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6A to 6C describe the processshown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 10A to 10G illustrate icons displayed accordingto a current mode on the touchscreen unit of the wireless terminal basedon the first to third exemplary embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate icons indicating the type of occurred eventin the wireless terminal based on the first to third exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 5 in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the wireless terminal is in a folder-closestate in step 501, i.e., a stand-by mode of the wireless terminal, thefolder sensor 480 detects the folder-close state and outputs, to thecontrol unit 410, a corresponding signal informing a folder-close stateof the wireless terminal.

When the corresponding signal informing of the folder-close state isreceived from the folder sensor 480, the control unit 410 detects thesignal in step 502, and proceeds to step 503 to activate the displayfunction of the external display unit 461 as described in FIG. 6A and tocontrol the external display unit 461 to perform a conventional functionof a sub-display unit.

When an event, such as a message reception, generation of an alarm or awireless terminal charge, occurs in step 504, the control unit 410detects the event and proceeds to step 505 to display an icon indicatingthe type of the occurred event on the external display unit 461 at afull screen size. The icon displayed in step 505 can be displayed for aperiod of time, until a user manipulates the icon, or until the event iscompleted.

In FIGS. 11A to 11C, as described above, an icon indicating a messagereception at a full screen size in step 505 is shown in FIG. 11A. Anicon indicating generation of an alarm at a full screen size in step 505is shown in FIG. 11B. An icon indicating a wireless terminal charge at afull screen size in step 505 is shown in FIG. 11C.

In this case, when the wireless terminal is in a folder-open state, thefolder sensor 480 detects the folder-open state, and then outputs to thecontrol unit 410 a corresponding signal informing the folder-open stateof the wireless terminal.

When the corresponding signal informing the folder-open state isreceived from the folder sensor 480, the control unit 410 detects thesignal in step 506. The control unit 410 proceeds to step 507 toactivate the display function of the external display unit 461, toactivate the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 470 asdescribed in FIG. 6B, and to control an icon for performing acorresponding function at the stand-by mode to be displayed.

In step 507, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 410 controls a stand-by mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen 470. When the icon is determined to havenot been set by a user, the control unit 410 controls a stand-by modeicon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen 470.

In step 507, the control unit 410 controls the internal display unit 462to display either the function performed in correspondence to the touchof the corresponding icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 470 or thefunction performed in correspondence to the key input from the key inputunit 427.

When a specific mode is selected through the icon of the touchscreenunit 470 or the key from the key input unit 427 in step 507, the controlunit 410 detects the selection of the specific mode in step 508. In step508, the control unit 410 determines if a specific mode is selectedthrough the icon of the touchscreen unit 470 or the key from the keyinput unit 427. Then, in step 509, the control unit 410 converts themode of the wireless terminal into a specific mode, and controls an iconfor performing a corresponding function at the specific mode to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 470.

In step 509, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 410 controls a specific mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen 470. When the icon is determined to havenot been set by a user, the control unit 410 controls a specific modeicon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen 470.

FIG. 6C illustrates a specific mode such as a character input mode. Inthis case, the touchscreen unit 470 displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at the character input mode. The icon displayedon the touchscreen unit 470 at the character input mode may be changedinto an icon set by a user and displayed.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G, as described above, when the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to a photographing mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 470 in step 509 is shown in FIG. 10A. When the mode ofthe wireless terminal corresponds to a moving picture photographingmode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 470 in step 509 is shownin FIG. 10B. When the mode of the wireless terminal corresponds to anMP3 playing mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 470 in step509 is shown in FIG. 10C. When the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to a calculator mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreenunit 470 in step 509 is shown in FIG. 10D.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G, as described above, when the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to a file view mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 470 in step 509 is shown in FIG. 10E. When the mode ofthe wireless terminal corresponds to an image editing mode, an icondisplayed on the touchscreen unit 470 according to the editing functionselected in step 509 is shown in FIG. 10F. When the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to an FM radio mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 470 in step 509 is shown in FIG. 10G.

When an event, such as a message reception, generation of an alarm or awireless terminal charge, occurs in step 509, the control unit 410detects the event and controls an icon indicating the type of theoccurred event to be displayed on at least one of the internal displayunit 462 and the touchscreen 470 at a full screen size as described inFIGS. 11A to 11C above. The icon displayed on at least one of theinternal display unit 462 and the touchscreen 470 can be displayed for aperiod of time, until a user manipulates the icon, or until the event iscompleted.

FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration of a bar-type wireless terminalaccording to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, on thecondition that the display unit of the wireless terminal has beendeactivated, a predetermined key input for the purpose of activating thedisplay unit represents a first operation state out of operation statesof the wireless terminal.

Referring to FIG. 7, an RF unit 723, a modem 720 and an audio processor725 all perform substantially the same respective operations as the RFunit 123, the modem 120 and the audio processor 125 in FIG. 1.

A memory 730 may include a program memory and a data memory. The programmemory can store programs for controlling general operations of thewireless terminal and programs for controlling the function of thetouchscreen according to a key input and the current mode of thewireless terminal based on the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The data memory performs a function of temporarily storingdata generated during performance of the programs.

A control unit 710 performs a function of controlling general operationsof the wireless terminal, and may include the modem 720 and a codec.

When a predetermined key is input during a stand-by mode of the wirelessterminal according to the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the control unit 710 activates the display function of adisplay unit 760 and the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit770. The control init 710 also controls an icon for performing acorresponding function at a current mode to be displayed on thetouchscreen unit 770. In this case, the icon, which is displayed on thetouchscreen 770, for performing the corresponding function at thestand-by mode may be set by default or set by a user.

When an event occurs at the stand-by mode of the wireless terminalaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the control unit 710 controls an icon corresponding to the type of theoccurred event to be displayed on at least one of the display unit 760and the touchscreen unit 770 at a full screen size. The eventcorresponds to generation of an alarm, generation of a wake-up call, amessage reception, a wireless terminal charge and the like.

When the stand-by mode of the wireless terminal is converted into aspecific mode for execution of a corresponding function according to thethird exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit710 controls an icon for performing a corresponding function at thespecific mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit 770. In this case,the icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 770 in order to perform thecorresponding function at the specific mode may be set by default or setby a user.

When an event occurs at the specific mode of the wireless terminalaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the control unit 710 controls an icon indicating the type of theoccurred event to be displayed on at least one of the display unit 760and the touchscreen unit 770 at a full screen size.

The display unit 760 is disposed on the main body of the wirelessterminal, and displays user data output from the control unit 710. Whena predetermined key is input at a stand-by mode of the wireless terminalaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the display unit 760 is activated to display a current mode.

The touchscreen unit 770 is disposed on the main body of the wirelessterminal. When a predetermined key is input to the wireless terminalaccording to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the touchscreen function of the touchscreen unit 770 is activated suchthat the touchscreen unit 770 displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at the current mode.

A key input unit 727 includes keys for inputting numbers and characterinformation function and keys for setting various functions.

Operations for controlling functions of the touchscreen in such abar-type wireless terminal will be described with reference to FIG. 8 to11C in greater detail.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a process for controlling atouchscreen in a bar-type wireless terminal according to the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B describethe process shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 10A to 10G illustrate an icondisplayed according to a current mode on the touchscreen unit of thewireless terminal based on the third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an icon indicating the type ofoccurred event in the wireless terminal according to the third exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 8 in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 8, when a predetermined key is input in step 801,i.e., a stand-by mode of the wireless terminal, the control unit 710detects the input in step 802 and proceeds to step 803. The stand-bymode of step 801 represents a deactivation state of the display unit760, which is caused when wireless terminal operations, such as a keyoperation and occurrence of an event and the like, do not occur for aperiod of time.

In step 803, as described in FIG. 9A, the control unit 710 activates thedisplay function of the display unit 760 and the touchscreen function ofthe touchscreen unit 770, and then controls an icon for performing acorresponding function at the stand-by mode to be displayed.

In step 803, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 710 controls a stand-by mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 770. When the icon is determined tohave not been set by a user, the control unit 710 controls a stand-bymode icon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen unit770.

In step 803, the control unit 710 controls the display unit 760 todisplay either the function performed in response to a touch on thecorresponding icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 770 or the functionperformed in response to the key input from the key input unit 727.

When a specific mode is selected through the icon selection of thetouchscreen unit 770 or a predetermined key input from the key inputunit 727 in step 803, the control unit 710 detects the selection of thespecific mode in step 804, and determines if a specific mode is selectedthrough the icon selection of the touchscreen unit 770 or the key fromthe key input unit 727. Then, in step 805, the control unit 710 convertsthe mode of the wireless terminal into the specific mode and controls anicon for performing a corresponding function at the specific mode to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 770.

In step 805, when the icon is determined to have been set by a user, thecontrol unit 710 controls a stand-by mode icon set by the user to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit 770. When the icon is determined tohave not been set by a user, the control unit 710 controls a stand-bymode icon set as a default icon to be displayed on the touchscreen unit770.

FIG. 9B illustrates a specific mode, such as a character input mode. Inthis case, the touchscreen unit 770 displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at the character input mode. The icon displayedon the touchscreen unit 770 at the character input mode may be changedinto an icon set by a user and displayed.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G, as described above, when the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to a photographing mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 770 in step 805 is shown in FIG. 10A. When the mode ofthe wireless terminal corresponds to a moving picture photographingmode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 770 in step 805 is shownin FIG. 10B. When the mode of the wireless terminal corresponds to anMP3 playing mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreen unit 770 in step805 is shown in FIG. 10C. When the mode of the wireless terminalcorresponds to a calculator mode, an icon displayed on the touchscreenunit 770 in step 805 is shown in FIG. 10D.

In FIGS. 10A to 10G, as described above, when the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to a file view mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 770 in step 805 is shown in FIG. 10E. When the mode ofthe wireless terminal corresponds to an image editing mode, an icondisplayed on the touchscreen unit 770 according to the editing functionselected in step 805 is shown in FIG. 10F. When the mode of the wirelessterminal corresponds to an FM radio mode, an icon displayed on thetouchscreen unit 770 in step 805 is shown in FIG. 10G.

When an event, such as a message reception, generation of an alarm or awireless terminal charge occurs at a stand-by mode of step 801, thecontrol unit 710 detects the event in step 806, and proceeds to step 807to activate at least one of the display unit 760 and the touchscreen 770and control an icon indicating the type of the occurred event to bedisplayed at a full screen size. The icon displayed in step 807 can bedisplayed for a period of time, until a user manipulates the icon, oruntil the event is completed.

In FIGS. 11A to 11C above, an icon indicating a message reception at afull screen size in step 807 is shown in FIG. 11A. An icon indicatinggeneration of an alarm at a full screen size in step 807 is shown inFIG. 11B. An icon indicating a wireless terminal charge at a full screensize in step 807 is shown in FIG. 11C.

As described above, according to the control of a touchscreen unit basedon the operation state of a wireless terminal, exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention have an effect that they can provide a user of acurrent mode with greater convenience by means of controlling an iconfor performing a corresponding function at the current mode to bedisplayed on the touchscreen unit according to a basic setting or a usersetting when a slide-type wireless terminal is in a slide-up state or afolder-type wireless terminal is in a folder-open state or apredetermined key is input to a bar-type wireless terminal.

Additionally, the present invention can reduce the power consumption ofa slide-type wireless terminal by using the touchscreen unit as asub-display unit when a slide-type wireless terminal is in a slide-downstate.

Certain aspects of the present invention can also be embodied ascomputer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. Acomputer readable recording medium is any data storage device that canstore data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examplesof the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory(ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppydisks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as datatransmission through the Internet). The computer readable recordingmedium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems sothat the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion. Also, functional programs, code, and code segments foraccomplishing the present invention can be easily construed byprogrammers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

As described above, an exemplary embodiment such as a wireless terminalhas been described in the present invention. While the invention hasbeen shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodimentsthereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variouschanges in form and details may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

1. An apparatus for controlling a touchscreen in a wireless terminal,the apparatus comprising: a display unit which is activated when thewireless terminal is in a first operation state; a touchscreen unitwhich is activated and displays an icon for performing a correspondingfunction at a current mode when the wireless terminal is in the firstoperation state; and a control unit for activating the display unit andfor controlling the icon for performing a corresponding function at acurrent mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit when the wirelessterminal is in the first operation state.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first operation state comprises at least one of a slide-upstate of a slide-type wireless terminal, a folder-open state of afolder-type wireless terminal and a key input state of a bar-typewireless terminal.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when an eventoccurs in the first operation state of the wireless terminal, thecontrol unit controls an icon indicating a type of the occurred event tobe displayed on at least one of the display unit and the touchscreenunit at a full screen size.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, whenthe wireless terminal is in a second operation state contrary to thefirst operation state, the control unit deactivates the display unit,and controls a function of the touchscreen unit to be converted into afunction of the display unit or the display unit to be activated.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the second operation state comprises atleast one of a slide-down state of a slide-type wireless terminal and afolder-close state of a folder-type wireless terminal.
 6. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein, when an event occurs in the second operation stateof the wireless terminal, the control unit controls an icon indicating atype of the occurred event to be displayed on at least one of thedisplay unit and the touchscreen unit at a full screen size.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the icon is set by at least one of defaultand a user for performing a corresponding function at the current mode.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the current mode comprises at leastone of a stand-by mode and a specific mode for performing a specificfunction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the wireless terminalis a slide-type terminal, wherein the display unit is deactivated whenthe wireless terminal is in a slide-down state, and is activated whenthe wireless terminal is in a slide-up state, wherein the touchscreenunit performs a function of a display unit when the wireless terminal isin a slide-down state, and displays an icon for performing acorresponding function at a current mode when the wireless terminal isin a slide-up state, and wherein the control unit controls the displayunit to be deactivated and a function of the touchscreen unit to beconverted into a function of the display unit when the wireless terminalis in a slide-down state, and controls the display unit to be activatedand an icon for performing a corresponding function at a current mode tobe displayed on the touchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in aslide-up state.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unitcontrols an icon indicating a type of an occurred event to be displayedon the touchscreen unit at a full screen size when the wireless terminalis in a slide-down state, and controls the icon to be displayed on atleast one of the display unit and the touchscreen unit at a full screensize when the wireless terminal is in a slide-up state.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein if the wireless terminal is a folder-typeterminal, wherein the display unit comprising an external display unitis activated when the wireless terminal is in a folder-close state, andan internal display unit is activated when the wireless terminal is in afolder-open state, wherein the touchscreen unit is activated anddisplays an icon for performing a corresponding function at a currentmode when the wireless terminal is in a folder-open state, and whereinthe control unit controls the external display unit, and controls theinternal display unit and an icon for performing a correspondingfunction at a current mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit whenthe wireless terminal is in a folder-open state.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the control unit controls an icon indicating a type ofan occurred event to be displayed on the external display unit at a fullscreen size when the wireless terminal is in a folder-close state, andcontrols the icon to be displayed on at least one of the internaldisplay unit and the touchscreen unit at a full screen size when thewireless terminal is in a folder-open state.
 13. The apparatus of claim1, wherein if the wireless terminal is a bar-type terminal, wherein thedisplay unit is activated when a key is input to the wireless terminal,wherein the touchscreen unit is activated and displays an icon forperforming a corresponding function at a current mode when the key isinput, and wherein the control unit controls the display unit to beactivated, and an icon for performing a corresponding function at acurrent mode to be displayed on the touchscreen unit when the key isinput.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control unit controlsan icon indicating a type of an occurred event to be displayed on atleast one of the display unit and the touchscreen unit at a full screensize.
 15. A method for controlling a touchscreen in a wireless terminal,the method comprising: activating a display unit and displaying an iconfor performing a corresponding function at a current mode on atouchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in a first operationstate; and deactivating the display unit and converting a function ofthe touchscreen unit into a function of the display unit or activatingthe display unit when the wireless terminal is in a second operationstate contrary to the first operation state.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the first/second operation states comprise at least one of aslide-up or a slide-down state of a slide-type wireless terminal, afolder-open or a folder-close state of a folder-type wireless terminal,and a key input state of a bar-type wireless terminal.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising displaying an icon indicating a type of theoccurred event on at least one of the touchscreen unit and the displayunit at a full screen size when an event occurs in the wirelessterminal.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the icon is set by atleast one of default and a user for performing a corresponding functionat the current mode.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the currentmode comprises either a stand-by mode or a specific mode for performinga specific function.
 20. A method for controlling a touchscreen in aslide-type wireless terminal, the method comprising: deactivating adisplay unit and converting a function of a touchscreen unit into afunction of the display unit when the wireless terminal is in aslide-down state; and activating the display unit and displaying an iconfor performing a corresponding function at a current mode on thetouchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in a slide-up state. 21.The method of claim 20, further comprising: determining whether thewireless terminal is in a slide-up state or in a slide-down state whenan event occurs in the wireless terminal; displaying an icon indicatinga type of the occurred event on the touchscreen unit at full screen sizewhen the wireless terminal is in a slide-down state; and displaying anicon indicating a type of the occurred event on at least one of thedisplay unit and the touchscreen unit at full screen size when thewireless terminal is in a slide-up state.
 22. A method for controlling atouchscreen in a folder-type wireless terminal, the method comprising:activating an external display unit when the wireless terminal is in afolder-close state; and activating an internal display unit anddisplaying an icon for performing a corresponding function at a currentmode on the touchscreen unit when the wireless terminal is in afolder-open state.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:determining whether the wireless terminal is in a folder-open state orin a folder-close state when an event occurs in the wireless terminal;displaying an icon indicating a type of the occurred event on theexternal display unit at a full screen size when the wireless terminalis in a folder-close state; and displaying an icon indicating a type ofthe occurred event on at least one of the internal display unit and thetouchscreen unit at full screen size when the wireless terminal is in afolder-open state.
 24. A method for controlling a touchscreen in abar-type wireless terminal, the method comprising: determining whether akey is input to the wireless terminal; and controlling a display unit tobe activated and an icon for performing a corresponding function at acurrent mode to be displayed on a touchscreen unit when the key isinput.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising displaying an iconindicating a type of the occurred event on at least one of the displayunit and the touchscreen unit at full screen size when an event occursin the wireless terminal.